London and Its Environs Described, vol. 3 (of 6): Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round ItAnonymous
History
London and Its Environs Described, vol. 3 (of 6): Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round It
Anonymous
London (England) -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; London (England) -- Gazetteers -- Early works to 1800
The Kings of arms were formerly erected by the Sovereign with great
solemnity, upon some high festival; but since the ceremonies used at
the creation of Peers have been laid aside, the Kings of arms have
been created by the Earl Marshal, by virtue of the Sovereign’s
warrant: upon this occasion he takes his oath; wine is poured upon his
head out of a gilt cup, with a cover; his title is pronounced; and he
invested with a tabart of the royal arms, richly embroidered upon
velvet; a collar of SS. with two portcullises of silver gilt; a gold
chain, with a badge of his office, and the Earl Marshal places on his
head the crown of a King of arms, which formerly resembled a ducal
coronet; but since the restoration it has been adorned with leaves
resembling those of the oak, and circumscribed, according to ancient
custom, with the words, MISERERE MEI DEUS SECUNDUM MAGNAM
MISERICORDIAM TUAM. Garter has also a mantle of crimson sattin, as an
officer of the order; with a white rod or scepter with the Sovereign’s
arms on the top, which he bears in the presence of the Sovereign; and
he is sworn in a chapter of the Garter, the Sovereign investing him
with the ensigns of his office.
The Kings of arms are distinguished from each other by their
respective badges, which they may wear at all times, either in a gold
chain or a ribbon, Garter’s being blue and the Provincials purple.
The six Heralds are Windsor, Chester, Lancaster, York, Richmond, and
Somerset, who take place according to seniority in office. They are
created with the same ceremonies as the Kings, taking the oath of an
Herald, and are inverted with a tabart of the royal arms, embroidered
upon sattin, not so rich as the Kings, but better than the
Pursuivants, and a silver collar of SS. They are Esquires by creation,
and have a salary of 26_l._ 13_s._ 4_d._ _per annum_, and fees
according to their degree.
The Kings and Heralds are sworn upon a sword as well as the book, to
shew that they are military, as well as civil officers.
The four Pursuivants, who are, Rougecroix, Bluemantle, Rougedragon,
and Portcullis, are also created by the Earl Marshal, when they take
their oath of a Pursuivant, and are invested with a tabart of the
royal arms upon damask. They have a salary of 20_l._ a year, with fees
according to their degree. It is the duty of the Heralds and
Pursuivants, to attend in the public office, one of each class
together, by a monthly rotation.
Besides these particular duties of the several classes, it is the
general duty both of the Kings, Heralds, and Pursuivants, to attend
his Majesty at the house of Peers, and, upon certain high festivals,
to the chapel royal; to make proclamations; to marshal the proceedings
at all public processions; to attend the installation of the Knights
of the Garter, &c.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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